ARC Review: Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: March 3rd 2015
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal, as Charles plans to buy Anna a horse for her birthday. Or at least it starts out that way…

Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae’s cold war with humanity is about to heat up—and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.

First off, I’m a huge fan of Patricia Briggs! Her paranormal world of the Mercy Thompson series and the Alpha & Omega series (Charles and Anna’s series) is unlike any other. And though I adore Mercy’s series, I have to say I love Charles and Anna’s books more. Every single book of theirs, I’ve wholeheartedly loved – I highly recommend reading this series (and the Mercy books too) if you’re a fan of paranormal and/or urban fantasy.

Anna and Charles make up one of my all-time favorite fictional couples in the history of fictional couples. I love them as a couple, but I also love them as individuals. From their very first book (or more like, from their first novella), I was hooked onto them and their story. They’re not the typical badass hero/heroine of urban fantasy books. I mean, they definitely are badass, but they’re way more subtle about it. As an Omega, Anna has a calming effect on werewolves, and she doesn’t feel the need to obey werewolves who have a higher rank in the pack. Charles is pure alpha – as the Marrok’s son and enforcer, he is one of the most dominant werewolves and he delivers justice to those who deserve it. Despite their differences, I honestly can’t think of anyone better suited for Charles than Anna, and vice versa. The mutual respect and love they have for each other is palpable in each book – they’re the refreshing sort of couple that I could never get tired of reading about.

“The day I met you was the first day I ever felt joy.”

As a birthday present for Anna, Charles wants to buy her a horse. He takes them to see an old friend of his who has a horse ranch, but there’s trouble stirring in town when they get there. I don’t want to say much about the plot because it’s so much better to just experience it in its entirety, but I want to say that Patricia Briggs never fails to make me hooked onto her stories. The plot is perfectly paced with just the right amount of action, and the mystery is well-written and intriguing. I also loved seeing a new side of Charles and learning more about his past – Joseph is one of the few people Charles loves and can truly call a friend, and it was great seeing him happy around someone who wasn’t Anna, Bran, or Samuel.

The writing is impeccable as always. I don’t know how Patricia Briggs does it, but the way she writes the Alpha & Omega series is simply beautiful, this book especially. As someone who knows almost nothing about horses, I can say that that aspect of the story was flawlessly incorporated. I fell in love once again with Anna and Charles – they are truly one of the few couples who are near and dear to my heart. Their subtle humor, their sweet, tender moments, everything was perfectly written. I honestly wish their series would never end, because I could read about them forever!

Dead Heat is another fantastic, gripping, gorgeously-written installment in one of my favorite series ever. I loved every single word of this book!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Series Order: Alpha & Omega series

#1 ~ Cry Wolf: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hunting Ground: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Fair Game: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Dead Heat: Ebook • Hardcover • Goodreads

3Mar2015

Release Day Review: Stealing Rose by Monica Murphy

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Stealing Rose by Monica Murphy
Series: The Fowler Sisters #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: March 3rd 2015
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emma Chase—the second novel in New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy’s sizzling series about three powerhouse sisters and the men who would have their hearts.

People say the youngest child has it easy, but nothing can be further from the truth. Unlike my two sisters, Violet and Lily, I’m never in the limelight. I just work my butt off for Fleur Cosmetics and get little to no thanks for it. I’ve been pushed too far one too many times, and I’m finally brave enough to do something about it.

Maybe my newfound courage has something to do with the amazing pink and white diamond necklace I wear to the party in Cannes. The instant those dazzling heirloom jewels touch my skin, they excite some deep, aching need inside. And when that guy—that totally gorgeous guy—locks eyes with me, I know this nice girl is going to be naughty.

For once it’s my turn. My turn to say no to my father, to outshine my sisters, to walk away from it all—straight into the arms of a mysterious stranger. But what if Caden is much more than I bargained for? Sure, he makes me feel sexy and free in a way I never have before, but there’s something else I can’t quite place—something dangerous. Maybe our “chance” meeting wasn’t so random. Maybe he was looking for me for a reason. Whatever his motive, there’s no going back now.

And maybe I don’t want to.

I highly enjoyed the first book of The Fowler Sisters series, so of course I was looking forward to Rose’s book! Unfortunately, Stealing Rose fell a bit flat for me. I definitely didn’t enjoy Rose’s book as much as I did Violet’s. I had a hard time liking or connecting with the main characters, and though the plot held potential, because I didn’t like the characters, the story just wasn’t working for me. My heart just wasn’t into this book, sadly. It mostly an okay read – though if you’re a fan of Owning Violet, I still think you should give Stealing Rose a try. You might like it more than I did.

I don’t measure up. I’m in Lily’s and Violet’s shadows and I hate it. The biggest obstacle I’ve ever had to overcome is being their baby sister. They’ll always be ahead of me, no matter what I do or what I say.
Being the youngest sucks.

Rose is the youngest of the three Fowler sisters, and she’s the sister that’s always overlooked. She doesn’t feel appreciated at her job at Fleur Cosmetics – she’s a hard worker, but no one, not even her father, the head of the company, notices. And when her father is promoting his nasty bitch of a girlfriend instead of Rose, Rose decides to say fuck it, resign, and take some time to herself.

Caden Kingsley is a thief. He cons and steals from the rich to help support himself and his mother after his late father left them destitute. He’s good at what he does, even though he’s not exactly proud of it – he’s a criminal, plain and simple. When Caden and Rose meet for the first time, Caden is aiming to steal a necklace of hers, but he never expects to feel a connection with her. He decides to pursue her, but he can’t have both the necklace and the girl. So which would he choose?

For once, I want to stick. I want to live a real life, not some constant con game. I want to be real with Rose. And if that means sometimes it gets ugly, and sometimes I’m scared, mad, sad, or whatever-the-hell emotion I’m struggling with, I still want to do it.
So I’ve got to fight for it. Own it. Own me. Own her.
Own us.

It’s a whirlwind romance for Rose and Caden, though Caden is keeping what he does a secret. He’s no longer entirely sure about his ‘career’ as a thief. It threatens what he has with Rose, and he has to decide whether he can give up his life as a thief for something that could turn into so much more.

You stole my heart, Ro. I may be the professional, but with us, you’re the thief. You reached right into my chest and took my heart like it fully belonged to you. And I think it does.

Stealing Rose had tons and TONS of sex! Oh my lord, Caden and Rose no doubt heat up the pages, but sometimes it felt a bit too excessive. In this case, I would have rather had more character and story development than sex. This was mainly why I didn’t grow to care for Rose or Caden – all they did was have sex. The romance just didn’t feel like it grew in a genuine way. I didn’t understand how these two fell in love with each other. As for the characters themselves, Rose didn’t feel strong enough to me – the development with her and her father/job wasn’t too clear, and it felt rushed at the end. I liked Caden a little better, with the way he wanted to change into a better man for Rose.

I wasn’t a fan of Rose or Caden, but that didn’t entirely ruin the book. I enjoyed it well enough. Caden was redeeming at the end, which ended the book on a much better note. If you’re a fan of a hot and steamy book with an intriguing storyline, you might enjoy Stealing Rose more than I did.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: The Fowler Sisters series

#1 ~ Owning Violet: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stealing Rose: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Taming Lily: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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23Feb2015

Early Review: Soulbound by Kristen Callihan

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Soulbound by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London #6 (full reading order below)
Release Date: February 24th 2015
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Once two souls are joined . . .
When Adam’s soul mate rejected him, there was more at stake than his heart. After seven hundred years of searching, his true match would have ended the curse that keeps his spirit in chains. But beautiful, stubborn Eliza May fled-and now Adam is doomed to an eternity of anguish, his only hope for salvation gone . . .

Their hearts will beat together forever
No matter how devilishly irresistible Adam was, Eliza couldn’t stand the thought of relinquishing her freedom forever. So she escaped. But she soon discovers she is being hunted-by someone far more dangerous. The only man who can help is the one man she vowed never to see again. Now Adam’s kindness is an unexpected refuge, and Eliza finds that some vows are made to be broken . . .

Oh how I adored Adam and Eliza. I was highly anticipating their story after having read Evernight –everything about these two characters was just so intriguing! Adam, the seven-hundred-year-old “father” of the GIMs, has found his soul mate, the one person in the world who can end his curse. But Eliza, this fierce, stubborn woman, is not about to be chained to him or anyone else, so she rejects and escapes from Adam, essentially dooming him to his curse.

I love the Darkest London series – it’s well-written and fleshed-out, and it’s so easy to get sucked into the world and the characters. Soulbound is the sixth book in the series, and Kristen Callihan has yet to let me down. Soulbound is a fast-paced, intense, sensual book that fans of the series do not want to miss! This book will make you laugh, fall in love with the characters, and tug at your heartstrings. I enjoyed it so much!

Though Eliza and Adam are soul mates, they don’t exactly LIKE each other (not at first, anyway). But they do NEED each other. Adam needs Eliza to end his curse, and Eliza needs Adam to protect her from her dangerous fae relatives. So together they manage a deal – Adam will help protect Eliza in exchange for three weeks in which Adam has the opportunity to make Eliza fall in love with him and therefore end his curse.

I LOVE witty, tough heroines, and Eliza is definitely one. I adored her sarcasm, but what I really admired was the strength within her. Her freedom is the most important thing to her and she’ll do anything to keep it. She doesn’t believe she and Adam are soul mates and doesn’t want to be chained to him again, but what if falling for him isn’t being chained at all?

Adam stole my heart in this book. He’s all male and sensuality, but he has vulnerabilities that made him all the more endearing. He’ll do anything to make Eliza fall for him, and it doesn’t hurt that there’s an intense chemistry already between them.

“Trust, Eliza?”
She nodded, and he took a step closer. Beneath thick, straight brows his gaze burned. “In truth, I want you so badly, the mere thought of you is a hand around my cock.”

Hot!!!

“Whether you believe in soul mates or not, I think of you as my other half. The better half. And I am not whole unless I am with you.”

And sweet!!! Adam says the sweetest, most romantic things. Be still, my heart!

I’m such a fan of the way Kristen Callihan writes, because she balances the romance and action in Soulbound so well (though I wish there was a bit more romance at the end, because I’m a romantic sap). It’s not my favorite of the series (that’s a toss-up between Shadowdance and Evernight), but it’s still a highly entertaining read that had me hooked from start to finish. If you’ve been looking forward to Adam and Eliza’s book, you won’t be disappointed.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Darkest London series

#0.5 ~ Ember: Ebook • Goodreads
#1 ~ Firelight: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Moonglow: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Winterblaze: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Entwined: Ebook • Goodreads
#4 ~ Shadowdance: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Evernight: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Soulbound: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Forevermore: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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17Feb2015

Release Day Review: Garrett by Sawyer Bennett

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Garrett by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Cold Fury Hockey #2 (full reading order below)
Release Date: February 17th 2015
Links: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett hits the ice with the story of a playboy athlete whose winning ways lead him to a beautiful woman with a lot to lose.

Carolina Cold Fury star Garrett Samuelson never wants to miss out on a single minute of fun. Whether he’s playing hockey, hanging out with friends, or walking the red carpet with a new date on his arm, he lives every day to the fullest. When he meets Olivia Case, he sees someone who’s exactly his type—confident, sexy, smart . . . his next fling. But the more he pursues her, the more Garrett shares a side of himself that other women don’t normally get to see.

Olivia has been keeping a secret. While Garrett lives for the next thrill, Olivia’s not sure she’ll live to see the next day. She’s undergoing treatment for some serious medical issues, and she doesn’t have time for a relationship with no guarantees—especially one with a hot-as-sin womanizer who won’t take no for an answer. But as she gets to know the real Garrett, Olivia can’t help falling for him . . . hard. To reveal the truth would mean risking everything—but you can’t score without taking the tough shots.

Okay, seriously… the Cold Fury Hockey series most definitely has the HOTTEST covers ever!!! I could look at them and drool all over them all day.

I love women and I love fucking them. But they take a backseat to hockey… my one true love.
Always have, always will.

I’m very picky about books with a hero who’s a manwhore, but Sawyer Bennett nails this one. Garrett was first introduced in Alex as the charming, lovable manwhore, and I was sooo looking forward to his story – and to him getting knocked on his ass when he fell in love. And oh my… when Garrett falls in love, he falls deep and hard. I adored how committed, how loving he was once he found the one woman in the world for him, who turns out to be Alex’s girlfriend’s cousin, Olivia. It’s easy to see how much Garrett cherishes Olivia… and all the more so when he finds out that Olivia might not live to see her next day.

Olivia, Sutton’s cousin, has cancer. She’s terrified that she might not live for very long. But she’s not a quitter, and she’s determined to live life to the fullest. Olivia was such a sweet, admirable heroine. Once she decided to live life to the fullest, she meant it. She tried hard not to let her illness get her down – and having the attention of a hot hunk of a guy certainly helped.

Garrett is determined to make Olivia give him – them – a chance. There’s so much chemistry between them… they are on fire together!! But what starts as a purely sexual relationship quickly turns into something more, something deeper, to Olivia’s reluctance. She doesn’t want to give Garrett hope that what they have will last, because she doesn’t know if she will last. But Garrett, who is amazing, funny, and so freaking GOOD to Olivia, makes Olivia see that what they have is worth it all.

“I love you, Olivia. I waited a long time to find this and there is nothing more important in my world than you. Don’t trivialize this. Accept it. You are it for me.”

The tender moments, sexy moments, and heartbreaking moments in Garrett all make for one highly entertaining read. I was rooting for Garrett and Olivia, who make the most adorable couple ever! Romance fans, especially sports romance fans, should definitely pick up this read!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Cold Fury Hockey series

#1 ~ Alex: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Garrett: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Zack: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Ryker: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Hawke: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Max: Ebook • Goodreads (Dec. 13, 2016)

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14Feb2015

Blog Tour + ARC Review & Giveaway: One Night: Unveiled by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Posted in 4 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

One Night: Unveiled by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Series: One Night #3 (full reading order below)
Release Date: February 10th 2015

A life without secrets and a passion without end . . .The story of Livy and M’s passionate love affair comes to a stunning conclusion in the final book in the One Night trilogy!

Livy has never known pure desire like this. The gorgeous Miller Hart captivates her, seduces her, and worships her in deliciously sinful ways. He knows her innermost thoughts, drawing her ever deeper into his dangerous world.

Miller will do anything to keep Livy safe, even if it means risking his own life. But his dark history isn’t the only thing that threatens their future together. As the truth of Livy’s family legacy unravels, an unsettling parallel between past and present comes to light. Her world spinning out of control, Livy finds herself caught between the rapture of an all-consuming love-and a deadly obsession that could destroy them both . . .

Buy Links:
Amazon Ebook • Amazon Paperback • B&N
BAM • IndieBound • Kobo • Google Play • iTunes

One Night: Unveiled is the third and final book of the One Night series, and this is definitely a book that ends the series with a bang! I enjoyed Unveiled a LOT more than the previous books – mostly because we finally get some fucking answers!

“Do you realise how hard I find it to accept you’re here?
… In my life, Olivia. Transforming my darkness into blinding light.” His face comes close, his lips ghosting mine. “Replacing my nightmares with beautiful dreams.”

Oh Miller… I wasn’t too big of a fan of him in the previous books, but he stole my heart with his words in this one. I could finally FEEL the incredible love he has for Olivia. Yes, he’s extremely peculiar about things, and he’s a bit too obsessive and alpha sometimes (okay, a lot of the time), but his love for Olivia holds no bounds. He will literally do anything to keep her and keep her safe.

You are my soul, Olivia Taylor. My light. You are my reason to breathe. Don’t ever doubt that.

One Night: Unveiled begins with Olivia and Miller in New York, trying to escape life for a while and enjoy some time together. But Olivia can’t stop thinking about the certain someone she saw at the end of the previous book, and reality comes crashing down on the two of them when they hear of bad news that happened back home. So Olivia and Miller are forced to go back to London, and they’re back to their old ways of Miller trying to keep Olivia out of the darkness of his life, and Olivia trying to barge right in.

A large chunk of the book felt a bit… unnecessary. There wasn’t much drama and there was a lot of repeated actions and declarations. Lots of words were too overdone and the book was dragging on, until FINALLY some action started happening again, and I started loving it! Jodi Ellen Malpas definitely doesn’t hold anything back – there are intense, dramatic, shocking discoveries for everyone, most especially Olivia. And finally, we get answers about everyone and everything – Miller, William, their most dangerous enemy, and even Olivia’s mother. Everything is wrapped up neatly and tidily (Miller would be proud) and the epilogue was fantastic! I adored the epilogue and the fact that it was in Miller’s POV. It was such a satisfying, heartwarming ending to Olivia and Miller’s story, and I was smiling all the way through it.

“I’ll love you until there’s no breath left in my lungs, Olivia Taylor. For eternity.”
“It’s not long enough.”
“Then beyond that, too.”

Those who’ve read the previous books in the One Night trilogy won’t be disappointed with this final book!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: One Night series

#1 ~ Promised: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Denied: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Unveiled: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in the Midlands town of Northampton, England, where she lives with her two boys. Working for her father’s construction business full time, she tried to ignore the lingering idea of writing until it became impossible. She wrote in secret for a long time before finally finding the courage to unleash her creative streak, and in October 2012 she released This Man. She took a chance on a story with some intense characters and sparked incredible reactions from women all over the world. She’s now a proud #1 New York Times and Sunday Times Best selling author.

Writing powerful love stories and creating addictive characters has become her passion – a passion she now shares with her devoted readers.

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

10 copies of One Night: Unveiled by Jodi Ellen Malpas

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